Studying the Climate Change Impacts on the Rural Areas of Eastern Isfahan Province (Northern and Southern Braan Villages)

Authors

1 Associate Professor, Department of Development and Social Policy, Faculty of Social Sciences, University of Tehran

2 PhD Student in Sociology of Social-Rural Development, University of Tehran

Abstract

Introduction: Today, the world is facing climate change and global warming. Iran is not exempt from this situation and climate change has many negative effects on all its regions. In particular, these changes have led to successive droughts in the last 15 years. In this research, the environmental and socioeconomic impacts of CC on two villages in the eastern Isfahan province and the responses of the local community and government policies in the face of these changes were investigated using Al-Rish Beck’s “The Risky Society” approach.
Method: Observational instruments, semi-structured interviews, and group interviews were used to gather information. Through purposive selection, 47 people (32 men and 15 women) were interviewed, including informed organizations, informed locals, and  villagers.  Grounded theory method was used for data analysis.
Findings:The result of the analysis was the extraction of 215 concepts, which were reduced to 157 after revision. These concepts were then used to form 35 categories, which resulted in the core category of “Intensified Instability.” The results show that climate change, combined with mismanagement of water resources by government organizations and, to a lesser extent, villagers, has led to negative environmental consequences such as degradation of water, air, and soil resources, resulting in a reduction in cultivated land, loss of livelihoods such as livestock, and reduction in cultivated diversity, followed by economic problems such as an increase in poverty. This has led to a decrease in savings and a sense of economic insecurity. These conditions have also led to cultural issues such as a change in villagers’ lifestyles and a reluctance to live in the village and a turn to urban lifestyles. In addition, the drought and its consequences have also affected the physical and mental health of the people in the region, leading to physical illness and mental discomfort. However, there are some differences between the two villages in terms of social consequences. For example, while there has been out-migration in the village in southern Baraan, the village in northern Baraan has not only not out-migrated, but has actually become receptive to immigrants.
Conclusion: It can be concluded that the location of the village and the spirit of participation are the reasons for these differences. The village in North Braan, which has a more favorable climate, has become the residence of the rich people of Isfahan city, and service sector jobs have been created in the village, which has prevented the villagers from migrating. Moreover, the spirit of participation in the management of water resources has been shown in this village.

Keywords

References

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